NEW YORK, Dec 22 — It’s the holiday season and Broadway is a buzz with musicals.
If you’re in New York, catching a Broadway performance is a must.
Here’s a look at what’s on this week running right up to and including Christmas Day.
Fiddler on The Roof:
Tony award-winning director Bartlett Sher (“South Pacific,” “The King and I”) brings new life to the classic Fiddler on the Roof at The Broadway Theater this week. This latest adaptation opened on Sunday. The 1964 musical comedy won 10 Tony Awards and held the record for the longest running Broadway musical for nearly 10 years. The story is set in Russia in 1905 and tells the tale of Tyve and his 5 daughters. Teyve struggles to continue his Jewish religious traditions as his daughters set out to marry for love. A timeless piece of theater.
Phantom of the Opera:
Another classic showing this week is Phantom of the Opera, the longest running Broadway show in history. It tells the tale of a deformed composer who lurks in the Paris Opera House, played by Drama League Award nominee James Barbour. The phantom begins composing for the lovely Christine Daaé with whom he is obsessed. As she rises to fame, a man from her past re-enters her life. The Phantom is furious and reigns terror on the Opera, determined to win Christine’s love.
Spring Awakening:
Deaf West Theater Company is currently performing a revival production of the Tony award-winning Spring Awakening. The musical is adapted from a 19th century German play. It is the story of teenagers discovering their sexuality. It revolves around the boy Melchior and a deaf girl named Wendla. In this unique adaptation, Deaf West Theater has incorporated sign language directly into the musical. The cast is divided into hearing and deaf actors. The deaf performers deliver their lines through sign language and their dialogue and singing are provided by another actor who performs alongside simultaneously.
Aladdin:
The Disney stage musical of the 1992 animated film offers a performance for all ages. It is directed and choreographed by Tony award-winning Casey Nicholaw. It tells the tale of Princess Jasmine and Aladdin, a former thief. The story is set in the Middle Eastern town of Agrabah. Jasmine sneaks out of the royal palace and meets Aladdin. When Jasmine and Aladdin are found together, he is given a death sentence. The plot turns when Aladdin unleashes a genie from a lamp and takes on the new identity of Prince Ali as he pursues Jasmine’s heart.
The Lion King:
Director Julie Taymor brings out elaborate costumes in this adaptation of the 1994 Disney Academy Award-winning film. Taymor has won the Tony Awards for Direction and Costume Design for her work on the musical. The story centers on the lion prince Simba and is set in the African Pride Lands. Simba’s father is killed and Simba sets out on his own. But ultimately, he must come back to face a powerful enemy and save the Pride Lands. — AFP-Relaxnews
